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13 Oct 2016

North in turmoil as casualties, death tolls rises in Katsina, Sokoto,others

The Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, has said that the group recorded deaths and suffered severed injuries and other casualties across the northern states following the procession it carried out on Wednesday in commemoration of their Islamic religious obligations.

A statement issued by the group’s spokesman, Ibrahim Musa, said in kano, members of the movement known as Muslims Sisters were arrested when returning to their various homes after having taken part in the procession.

He explained that, “The police arrested some Muslim sisters of IMN on their way to their various homes and have been taken to Bompai police headquarters.”

It added, “Wednesday 10th (Muharram, 1438 (12/10/16), was commemorated as Ashura in major cities across Nigeria by the Islamic Movement, but was, however, attacked by a combined force of security agents and some others dressed as hoodlums as well as paid thugs escorting them, resulting in deaths in Funtua, Sokoto and Kaduna.

“The procession of the martyrdom of Imam Husain started in Funtua, Katsina state peacefully, but was later stopped by a team of policemen who were drafted to the scene to forcibly stop the march.

“After firing teargas cannisters on the procession, the police opened fire with live bullets killing nine instantly and injuring about 20 others. There are reports that they went with some victims.”

The statement stressed, “In Kaduna, the peaceful Ashura procession was concluded without any incident.

“However, armed paid thugs attacked some members of IMN on their way to their various homes injuring them.

“This was followed by torching of Islamic Centre of IMN at Tudun wada Kaduna and subsequent demolition by a combined team of policemen and the Army. Three members of the Movement were killed there.

“The story was similar in Jos, Plateau state, where armed soldiers brutally attacked the Ashura procession, then proceeded to invade the Islamic Centre belonging to IMN, making some arrests while threatening to demolish the worship complex.

“In Kano though, the police arrested some Muslim sisters of IMN on their way to their various homes.
These have been taken to Bompai police headquarters.
“A number of arrests were also made in Kaduna and were arraigned before the Shariah Court Dara road. These were sent to prison.

“We are following developments and will update as appropriate.”

It would be recalled that the Movement was declared unlawful society on 7 October by the kaduna state government.